702nd Tank Destroyer Battalion

Motto: MEMOR ESTO or "Be Mindful"

Unit History: The “Seven O Deuce” was activated 15 December, 1941, at Fort Benning, Georgia. Equipped with T70s (M18's) before shipping to the United Kingdom, where the battalion arrived on 25 February, 1944, only to be issued M10's. Landed at Omaha Beach on 11 June. Entered line at Livry on 2 July. Formed part of 2d Armored Division’s spearhead during Cobra breakout in late July. Fought at Mortain, established first contact with Canadians during encirclement of Falaise Pocket. Entered Belgium on 5 September and crossed German border near Gangelt. Fought against Siegfried Line along Wurm River in October and November. Re-equipped with M36's in late November. Supported drive on Roer River. Moved to Ardennes in December. Crossed Roer River on 28 February, 1945, and Rhine on 28 March. Participated in encirclement of Ruhr Pocket, reached Weser River on 4 April. Reached Elbe River near Magdeburg, after which they took on occupation duties. Attached to: 2d Armored Division. History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide. Used by permission.

2.) Unit Photo of the 702nd Tank Destroyer Battalion - This was taken by Rell Clements Jr., who is well known for his panoramic photos. It was taken during the 1942-1943 time frame while the unit was still in the U.S. and has been provided courtesy of Richard Sloan, son of Joseph W. Sloan who is shown in the photo. Joseph is in the third row from the rear, standing fourth (in that row) to the left of the flag, which is almost centered in the image. He's wearing glasses and has a #1 written on him. Also identified are a few officers of the unit shown in the fifth row from the rear. #2 - First Sgt Stone, #3 - Sgt. McGuire, #4 - Maj. McCurdy, and #5 - Lt. Col. Wright (Commanding). Joseph also listed #6 - Lt. Parks, #7 - Lt. Harper and #8 - Lt. Weiner but we are unable to find these men on the photo. Since Joseph Sloan was in Company B, these men may have been in Company B also. We have also identified Sgt. Albert E. Cannuscio, A Company, as standing in the first row, 5th guy (with moustache) to the right of the man with the A Company quidon. Thanks to his son, Peter, for the ID. Warning, this is a LARGE file!

3.) Second Armored Division Booklet Published 1945 - Distributed to the 702nd Tank Destroyer Battalion and 195th Anti-Aircraft Battalion. Link is to site by Larry Stevens in memory of his father, Pvt. Delbert Stevens, Co. A, 702nd Tank Destroyer Battalion.

4.) Article Request for Information on Lt. Col. John A. Beall - This article was just recently published in the 2nd Armored Division "Hell on Wheels" Bulletin for July 2010. I want to personally thank the 2nd AD for their assistance and allowing me to use the bulletin for my research. I particularly want to thank Jack Slattery, the Bulletin Editor, for his help and for the fine job he is doing on the Bulletin.

16.) Reunion Article from 1985 - A newspaper clipping from "The Mountain Press" which covers the Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville areas of Tennesse. The article is dated Monday, June 10, 1985.

17.) Reunion Photo from 1994 - Page one is the color photo. Page two is a black and white version with numbers on each person. Page three is a list of people as identified by Mike Leumer, who chaired reunions from 2004-2009 and is the son of 702nd veteran William (Bill) F. Leumer. He was only able to identify a few of the attendees so if anyone out there can identify any of the people, please contact me. Photo courtesy of Richard Sloan.

19.) 2nd Armored Division Photo - Taken on October 25, 1941, during a speech by their commanding officer, Major General George S. Patton Jr., who is shown more clearly in one of the two small detail images. The other small image looks like it was taken during the prayer for the troops. This photo was provided by the niece of James "Jimmy" Blanton, of B Company, and then scanned in parts by Richard Sloan....a pretty nice job! This shot was taken prior to the 702nd's activation and "official" connection to the 2nd Armored but because the 702nd was formed mostly from personnel of the 2nd Armored, we can safely assume that many of the 702nd's future members were on hand for the speech.

20.) Company B Photo - Taken in March of 1942 while the unit was still at Fort Benning, GA. Joseph Sloan is sitting in front, seventh from the right. There are a couple of guy's bodies missing but you can still see the tops of their heads. The four officers sitting behind the unit banner are L to R, 1st. Lt. Barnard or Bernard - Commanding, 2nd Lt. Wilson, 2nd Lt. Rodahaven or Rodahauer and 2nd Lt. Weiner. Joseph also noted on the photo that there were now 165 men. Photo is courtesy of Richard Sloan.

21.) Letter from former 702nd Commander, John Beall Jr. - Written on June 10, 1985 to Francis and Jim (members of Company B) thanking them for inviting him and for the planning they did. It is signed "Tiger" Beall. By this time, Beall had gone on to receive his doctorate in Management from Georgia State University.

22.) John J. Redman Article - Published in The Journal News of Independence, Walton and Taylor Mill, KY on 5-11-2011.